Jackson's "This Is It" Explosive First Run

Film Based on Pop Star's Rehearsal Videos Earns $2.2 M, Taking the North American Box Office by Storm for its First Night

(AP)  According to studio estimates, late-night screenings of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" have earned $2.2 million at the North America box office.

Distributor Sony calls those results "unprecedented" for a Tuesday in October. The film chronicles Jackson's concert preparations for what would have been 50 comeback concerts in London.

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"This Is It" opened in 99 countries and expanded its release Wednesday. Sony has already called Wednesday box office numbers "explosive" and says matinees alone have doubled Tuesday night's haul.

The film show Jackson preparing for a marathon concert stand in London that never happened.

The pop star died in June at age 50. His death has been ruled a homicide.

[Virgil-1]

Geeee,reckond this will bring him back?

[avigil2]

Looking forward to seeing THIS IS IT over the weekend. Just bought the double disc CD and it's great! It's got slightly different mixes of his songs.

[Neet1202]

I saw it too! It was AWESOME. It really showed what a creative genius Michael was and how incredible the London concerts were going to be!! It made me cry all over again at the wonderful person and talent we lost. RIP MICHAEL.

[pickaguitar1]

I saw it...loved it!

RIP Michael